De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi

Translated by Guy Windsor

Philippo Vadi

This combined version of my translation is made freely available thanks in large part to the generosity of the patrons who contributed to the original work. If you would like to support this kind of effort, please consider buying one of my books, perhaps even Veni Vadi Vici, which includes the complete transcription I made of Vadi's treatise, and a commentary aimed at people who want to recreate this art as a living discipline. You can find the paperback1, the PDF2, and the epub3 at the links below. I hereby license this translation under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License: you can copy, distribute and use it freely within the terms of the licence, but you must attribute it to my name. The full terms of the license4 are available at the link below. Guy Windsor, May 1st 2013, Helsinki. http://tinyurl.com/vvvpaperback http://tinyurl.com/vvvpdf 3 http://tinyurl.com/vvvepub 4 To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.
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To my most illustrious Prince Guido di Montefeltro Duke of Urbino

I offer this little book to you, great Prince, To which Muse my mind is devoted to, When giving up song to study the law of the principal martial games, Mars accustomed to kiss especially Phoebus (Apollo): The muse next decorates Mars, and worships Minerva. Philipo Vadi offers this book on the art of gladiatorial combat to the illustrious Prince Guido di Montefeltro Duke of Urbino.

Having been drawn to warlike acts and things by my earnest spirit, devoid of all cowardice, since my ﬁrst thriving years, as time progressed I grew in strength

and knowledge I went, through hard work, to learn something of the art, its style and skills, regarding the aforementioned warlike acts and things. Such as how to play with the sword, lance, dagger and axe. Of these things, through the guidance of God I acquired some good advice and this through the practical experience and theory of many teachers from various different countries, all complete masters and perfectly knowledgeable in this art. And not to diminish but instead to increase this doctrine so that it will not perish from my negligence, because from it comes no small help in battles, wars, riots and other warlike tumults: instead it gives all men trained and instructed in this material immediate and unique help: it has been suggested and required that I compile a booklet concerning these things by people I have surpassed in the art, and am more long winded than: adding to this various ﬁgures and placing various examples so that any man versed in this material can use if for assaults at arms, and can defend himself intelligently and be advised of all the types and styles. So that everyone of a generous spirit will see this, my little work, as a jewel and a treasure, recording it in his inner heart, so in this way this useful art and doctrine

will not fall into the hands of uncouth men and those of low­born condition. Because heaven has not made these men in earthly ﬂesh and beyond all cleverness and hard work and bereft of bodily agility, but instead they were made without reason, like animals, just to carry heavy loads and do base and rustic works. And so for this reason I tell you that they are in every way alien to this science, and it appears to me that the opposite stands for everyone of perspicacious intelligence and lively limbs such as are courtiers, scholars, barons, princes, Dukes and Kings, who should be invited to this noble science according to the principle of the Instituta which states: not only should Imperial Majesty be honoured in Arms, but also armed with sacred laws. Nobody should think that there is anything false or any kind of error in my book, because I have left out anything doubtful, and included only things that I have seen and tested. Let us begin then to explain our intention, with the aid and grace of the omnipotent God whose name will be blessed forever. And because the various animals, lacking reason, have natural gifts, without any of the knowledge of

man (who lacks such natural bodily gifts). So instead of naturally occurring weapons, to make up for the lack of the aforesaid weapons, nature gives man hands. So to those that lack natural weapons she gives the virtue of intelligence and thought. So those that have natural weapons cannot acquire more weapons. So those that lack natural weaponry can better make use of all weapons, natural or otherwise. Having then need above all other animals for intelligence and reason, these things ﬂourish, art and intelligence, and not only these two things raise us above the other animals. But every trained and clever man of good intelligence overtakes and surpasses any other that is tougher than him, and more full of force. Just to expand on my previous point. Cleverness overcomes strength. And what is greater still and almost incredible: sapiens dominabitur astris. An art that conquers all, and dominates anyone who would ﬁght you or stand against you, is born from the aforesaid cleverness and other piercing thinking. And not just one man against another, but also a method and the possibility is born for one man to overcome many people. And not only is shown the way and theory of combating the adversary, and to defend yourself against him, but also is taught advice

on how to take the weapon from his hand. In these texts there will also be a few words on how a small person of little strength can overcome and throw down a big tough and brave man, and so you will see how the humble can overtake the great and the unarmed the armed. And many times it happens that someone on foot defeats and conquers someone on horseback. But because this is a serious matter it would be very inconvenient if this noble doctrine perished and diminished through negligence, I, Philippo di Vadi from Pisa having studied this art since my ﬁrst ﬂourishing years having travelled to and practiced in many different countries, lands, castles and cities to collect the teachings and examples of many perfect masters of the art. By the grace of God having acquired and followed a sufﬁcient quantity of the art I have been free to compose this, my little book, in which I have organised and shown at least the main points of four types of weapon: the lance, sword, dagger and axe. And in this book written by me I describe a properly organised theory and practice of this art, with examples illustrated with various ﬁgures, so anyone new to the art can understand and know how to ﬁght, and by which tricks and vigour he expels, beats aside those of opponents and enemies. I have only included

in the aforesaid book the good and true doctrine, which I have received from the most perfect masters, with great pains, and efforts, and vigils. And I have also included things that I have discovered and often tested. Reminding and admonishing all, in plain words, to not dare attempt this art and science unless they are bold, generous and full of courage. Because any coarse, low­ born, pusillanimous man must be chased away and blocked from such nobility and reﬁnement. Because to this doctrine should only be invited such men as: men at arms, scholars, barons, lords, dukes, princes and kings of the land and any of those that govern the republic, and to any of these who defend widows and orphans (both of these are pious and divine works). And if this my little work ﬁnds its way into the hands of anyone versed in the art and appears to him to have any superﬂuous or wrong, please adjust, reduce or add to it as he pleases. Because in the end I place myself under his correction and censure.
Chapter I begins. If you wish to truly know If fencing is an art or science Hark my words, I say.

Ponder this, my conclusion: It is a true science and not an art As my brief eloquence shall show.

Geometry divides and separates By inﬁnite numbers and measures, And ﬁlls her papers with science.

The sword is placed in her care, So measure blows and steps together So Science keeps you safe. From Geometry fencing is born, And under her it has no end; And both of them are inﬁnite.

And if you heed my doctrines, You'll know how to answer with reason And pluck the rose from the thorns.

Music adorns this subject, Song and sound enshrine the art, To make it more perfect through science.

To make your opinion clearer, And to sharpen your intellect, So you may be able to answer to everyone: So Geometry and Music combine Their scientiﬁc virtues in the sword, To adorn the great light of Mars.

Now if you like what I have said, And the explanations I have written Keep them in mind, so you will not fall. So answer true as have told you, In fencing you will ﬁnd no end, as every backhand ﬁnds its fore,

Counter by counter without end.

Chapter II Measures of the two handed sword. The sword should be of the just measure, The pommel should come under the arm As it appears here in my writing.

As you wish to avoid any trouble, The pommel should be round to ﬁt the ﬁst Do this to not enter the trap.

And do this as it is always done: The handle should be always a span If it is not of this measure there is confusion. So your mind is not deceived, The crossguard should be as long as the handle And pommel together, and you won't be condemned.

You want the crossguard strong and square With a wide and pointed iron, It must cut and thrust to do its duty.

Take note and understand this guide If you wish to test the sword in armour, Make the cutting edges four ﬁngers from the point, With the handle as is said above, Chapter III Principles of the sword

With pointed crossguard, and note well the text. Grasp the sword manfully, Because the cross is a royal weapon, Together with a bold spirit. If you have a sharp mind,

You must consider here, The way to climb these stairs.

The art of the sword is just in crossing, Suiting thrust or cut to their context, To make war on he who stands against you. On one side you make defence The forehand blows go one one side, The backhands attack from the other.

The true edge falls on the forehand side, And note well this truth The backhand and false edge go together.

And follow then as the saying goes, Place yourself in guard with the sword in hand, If you pass forwards or back remain side­on. So that you will not play in vain, Face the side to which you turn, And enter there, if this is not strange.

Letting your sword go hunting Against the companion with your point in his face, Ready to strike immediately. You must be very shrewd, Keep an eye on the weapon that can strike you, Grabbing the tempo and measure together. Make your heart agree with your defence The feet and the arm with good measure, That you may take all the honour.

And note well and understand my text That if the companion strikes with his sword,

With yours acquire the crossing.

Your guard should not go out of the way, Go with the cover and with the point raised The blows hammer the head.

Play of the cross and you will not be conquered, If the companion crosses wide and you thrust, You want to not be divided from him. When you are joined with him at the half sword, Constrain him as reason desires, And leave the wide play and confront him. Also sometimes it is so, That a man doesn’t feel himself very strong, Then he needs cunning, not words. Pass out of the way with skill, With the cover of the good backhand, Redoubling swiftly with a forehand.

If you don’t feel your cunning has been lost Leave the wide and ﬁnd the constrained play Make strength change sides. And take note of and understand this saying, That when crossing, cross with strength, To lessen the threat from his sword.

Know that cleverness always overcomes strength, Make the cover and immediately strike, In wide and constrained you’ll beat down strength. And if you want to make him feel your point, Go out of the way with a pass across

Make him feel your point in his chest.

With the point high and the pommel low And the arms inside with a good cover, Pass to the left side with a good pace. And the point will ﬁnd an open way, Passing to the outside do not fear, In every way you will make your offer.

Control him and grasp the grip of his sword, If this cannot be done well, Crushing his sword does the duty. Always match your passes With the enemy’s, and when you ﬁnd him This I say­ do not let go!

When you see that the sword moves, Or if he steps, or strikes, Or you pass back, or make him ﬁnd a bump. Wisdom, strength and boldness act With him who desires honour in arms, Lacking these, he must exercise more. You must have a bold heart, If a big man appears strong Using cunning will give you favour.

Be as certain as death That your play is not courteous, When the other tries to shame you

And note well this text of mine, You know your heart, not the companion’s

Do not wish ever to use that fantasy. Make yourself great in trickery If you wish for success in this art That will bear good fruit.

Note well and understand this part Who wishes of the art to act in opposition Of a thousand, one will dirty his cards.

He loses honour for one single failing If he believes low things to be high And from this alone will be often against others. Often he makes from this other complaints Being in opposition he comes to quarrel Showing that with him who is versed in the art If the tongue could cut with reasons, And strike as does the sword, The dead would be inﬁnite.

And make sure your mind does not fall But grasp with reason your defence, And with justice go justly.

If you go without reason to offend others, Certainly damns his soul and body And makes his master ashamed.

And you must always keep in mind To always honour your teacher, Because money does not repay such a debt.

If you would be dextrous, and master the sword, You must be accomplished in teaching and learning,

Raising to give you the act of the left.

If loyalty for them gives you (their) love, You can talk to princes and kings, Because this art is used by them. Because they are expected to govern And each to maintain justice, For widows, orphans and other affairs.

All sorts of good things come from this art, By arms the cities are kept down And the crowds are kept under control. And she maintains in herself such dignity, That it always warms your heart, Driving out cowardice. Acquire both riches and honour And this passes above all other things Be always in your lord’s good graces. If you would have fame in this art, You will never be poor, anywhere, Because this virtue is so glorious.

If poverty shows you the cards Only once, then you will see, By this art, riches will embrace you.

Sometimes you will ﬁnd yourself Being like a spent light, Do not doubt that you will soon return.

To ﬁnd this art I have spared no pains, I speak not of the old but the new

To make her known I am content.

I have kept her ﬁrmly imprisoned, But as I release her, I truly swear She gave me wealth, and as it happened to me, So it will be for those in whom we ﬁnd this virtue. Chapter Four This art is so noble and reﬁned, She makes masters of men who follow her, Makes the eye quick and bold and noble.

This art teaches you to turn well, Teaches also to cover and be strong, And cuts and thrusts, it teaches the good parry. How many are those, the numberless dead To whom the art did not appeal, And so they closed their doors to life. There is no greater treasure than life, And everyone strives to defend it, To hold onto it as hard as they can.

Abandon material goods, and all valuable things, Defend your body with this art, And you will have honour and glory. Oh what a laudable and good thing it is To learn this art that costs you so little, And a thousand times gives you life.

Oh in how many ways it can have a place with you Without searching you will ﬁnd quarrels Blissful is he who can push the other’s ﬁre.

My art is new and made with reason I speak not of the old, that I leave To our ancestors and their beliefs.

If you do not want your honour to be thrown down, Measure your tempo and that of the companion. This is the foundation and base of the art. Open your ears to the great text, And understand its beautiful reason, To not give your teacher cause for complaint. Make it so the swords are always sisters When you come to fence with someone And choose the one you want from them.

Do not give advantage of the sword to anyone You will be in danger of being shamed, And this is something to be followed by anyone. Good eye, knowledge, speed are needed, And if you have strength and heart together You will scratch anyone’s mange. Understand my sentence well, A big man should have a long sword, And a little man should have a short one.

A man of great strength can break the guards, But natural cleverness will keep that in check, It gives a good chance to a small man. Who makes many blows brings venom Who makes few does so with great effort, In the end a black wind can be pleasant.

And if you come to the edge of my line, And grasp the reason of this art, She must extract you from trouble. And note well that of which I speak, Do not display the secrets of the art So you won’t be injured for this reason. Also understand well this other thing, The sword that is longer is deadly, You cannot play with it without danger. Make sure they are of equal measure, As I said in the ﬁrst chapter Of our book, that is above.

I only esteem the sword of two hands, And this is the only one I use at need, And of which the verse of my book sings.

And so you will not be shamed, Avoid ﬁghting more than one Who makes against the other one the reed­pipe. If force constrains you to contend With more than one, then keep this in mind, Take a sword that you can really use.

Choose a weapon that is light, not heavy, So it is easily controlled And you are not given difﬁculty by the weight. At need you can take another way, And you leave the thrust and employ Other blows to return here, As you will hear in my text.

Chapter V Of Thrusts and Cuts

The sword has a point and two edges, But note well and understand this text, That memory will not fail you.

One is the false, and the other the true, And reason commands and desires, That this is ﬁxed in your brain.

Forehand and true edge go together, Backhand and false edge stay together, Except the fendente which wants the true. Understand my text well, The sword goes with seven blows Six cuts with the thrust that strikes.

So that you will ﬁnd this seam, Two from above and below and two in the middle, The thrust up the middle with deceit and suffering, That our Air is often calm. Chapter VI The seven blows of the sword. We are the fendenti and we make quarrels, To strike and cut often with grief, The head and the teeth with the right reason.

And all guards that are made low to the ground, We break often with our cunning, Passing from one to the other without trouble. The blows make a bloody mark, When we mix them with the rota We support the entire art.

Fendente for striking we are well endowed, Returning to guard from pass to pass, That you want to mix me with the other blows, Note we are not slow to strike. I am the rota and I have in me such a load, I place a thrust often at a bow. I cannot be courteous or loyal Turning I pass through forehand fendente And destroy arms and hands without delay People call me Rota by name, I seek the false of the sword I please the mind of he who uses me.

We are volanti, always crossing And from the knee up we go, Fendente and thrusts we often banish.

By crossing us pass without fail, The Rota that come up from below, And with the fendente warms our cheeks. Chapter 7 Of the thrust. I am he that quarrels with All the other blows, and I am called the thrust. I carry venom like the scorpion.

I feel so strong, bold and quick, Often I make the guards plough again When I am thrown at others and confront them By my harmful touch, when I join them. Chapter VIII The quarrel of the cuts and thrusts.

The rota with the fendente and the volante Say to the thrusts “we will show That you are not so dangerous”.

And when they come to us, All the blows can make them lose their way Losing in this joust the chance to strike.

The blow of the sword does not lose its turn, Little worth the thrust to him the quick turn, It makes it go very wide, the blows going that way. If you don’t have a slack memory, If the thrust doesn’t strike it loses the strike All the others deem it weak. Against just one the thrust ﬁnds its place, Against more it doesn’t do its duty, This is found in the text and the act.

If the thrust throws a rota do not fear If it does not immediately take a good fendente, It remains fruitless against my parry. Keep in mind here, If the thrust enters but does not swiftly exit, It lets the companion strike back hard. Your sword is expert at slicing a blow, The thrust will lose its way to the strike, It is mocked with the help of the low cross.

I make a straight fendente at you with the sword, And break you out of that guard.

So that you are forced into a bad spot.

Do not lose a single hour of learning. The great blows with a serene hand, Will place you above the others and give you honour. Break all low guards Low guards await small loads, And so heavy ones pass without difficulty.

Heavy arms do not go quickly to the step, Light ones go and come like an arrow in a bow. Chapter IX Of the Cross. I am the Cross with the name of Jesus My sign is made both in front and behind To ﬁnd many more defences.

If I ﬁnd myself against a different weapon, I do not lose my way, this has been proven This I often go looking for. And when I ﬁnd a long weapon, Then with reason I make my defence, To gain the honour in every venture. Wanting to follow in this great work, It is necessary to explain bit by bit, All the strikes of the art.

Chapter X Discussion of the half sword.

So that you will understand and use The system well, I wish to ﬁrst make clear The turning principle of the sword. And with arms extended

Bring the edge to the middle of the companion. And if you wish to appear great in the art, You should go from guard to guard, With a slow and serene hand, With steps that are not out of the ordinary.

If you wish to make a stramazone at someone Do it with a small turn to the face Don’t make a very wide turn Because all long movements are for nothing. Making the roverso you will be helped, Passing out of the way with the left foot, Following with the right foot too, Keeping an eye out for a good parry. When you wish to enter in to half sword As the companion lifts his sword, Then don’t hold back, Grab the tempo or it will cost you dear.

Place yourself in the guard of the boar, When you enter with the thrust at the face Do not leave your point in the face, Turn quickly a roverso fendente.

And draw a mandritto, and keep this in mind. So that you understand my intention, With clear reasoning, I hope to show you the way.

I don’t want your blows to be solely roverso, Nor just fendente, but between one and the other,

If between is the common one. Hammering the head on all sides.

Also I advise you when you have entered, Be with the legs paired with his You will be lord, and clear, To constrain and strike valiantly. And when you strike a roverso fendente, Bend the left knee, and note the text, Extend the right foot, Without changing it, i.e. to the other side.

Also, if you see you are going to be attacked, The left foot and the head now, Because they are closer together, So don’t use the direct line, but remain on the diagonal. So you will be safe from every side, So you want the fendente, strike from the right, You need to bend The right knee: and extend well the left. Clearly the head will also be attacked, With the right foot that is closest. This is the better way. This is not the footwork of our ancestors.

It is not necessary that anyone contradict this, Because you will be stronger, and more secure, Hard in defence, And make war with shorter movements. And neither can anyone throw you to the ground.

Chapter XI Principles of Swordplay.

When you are joined at the half sword, Make a mandritto or roverso, Be sure to grasp the sense Of what I say, because it is to the point. If you are there, keep a sharp eye out, And look quickly with the cover, And hold the sword up, So your arms play above your head.

I cannot say in a few words, Because the matter is of the half sword, So that you will be better pleased, When you parry, parry with a fendente.

Brush aside the sword, a little shortened, Treading on that of the companion, You will make a good deal, Parrying well however many blows.

When you parry the roverso, keep in front, The right foot, and parry as I have said. Parrying the mandritto, Keep in front your left foot.

You should also keep in mind, When you strike a roverso fendente, To keep a careful eye out, So that a mandritto doesn’t come from underneath.

And if the companion strikes and you all of a sudden Parry, making then to the head

A blow with the false edge And as he lifts it, strike a good roverso

From below, through his arms, Redoubling then with a quick mandritto, And note also this, That you do not fail the Reason of the Art.

If you strike a mandritto, then beware, His roverso so he doesn’t strike you, Make it that your sword Parries with a fendente, so you are not caught.

And if it comes to you then to want To enter underneath and grab his handle. And then do your duty, Hammering his moustache with your pommel, Being very wary that hindrance does not grab you.

Chapter XII Discussion regarding the Feints of the Sword. Again I advise you, and note my words well, That when you have entered into half sword You then well from every side Following the art with good feinting.

Feints call out to obfuscate They hide from the other’s defence. Do not let him understand, What you want to do from one side or the other. I cannot show you so well, With my words how to do it with a sword, Make your mind go To investigate the art with my sayings.

And grasp valour with reason As I admonish and as I teach you And do it with cunning You follow that which I have written in so many verses, To discover the depths and the banks of the Art. Chapter XIII Principles of the half­sword. Being then joined at the half sword, You can well hammer more and more times, Striking on only one side, Your feints go on the other side. And when he loses his way with parrying, And you hammer then on the other side, Then you should decide If you need to ﬁnish by closing in.

And if you want to throw blows, Let a fendente roverso go, And a false edge with the point in his face (turning it across) Do not be divided from his point, With roverso or mandritto With whichever you can work. Because the knees bend on every side.

Following that which I showed you above, I repeat for you again this addition, Always enter with the point, Forcing upwards from below, ﬁnishing in the face And you can strike just at the right time.

Chapter XIIII Theory of the half tempo of the sword I cannot show you in writing The theory and method of the half tempo Because it remains in a knot The shortness of the tempo of his strike.

The half time is just one turn Of the knot: quick and immediately striking, It can rarely fail When it is done in good measure. If you note well my writing One who does not practice will parry badly Often the turning Breaks with a good edge the other’s brain.

Of all the art this is the jewel, Because it treats as one the strike and the parry, Oh what a valuable thing, So practice it with good reason, And it will let you carry the banner of the art. There are many who make their base In turning strongly from every side So be advised, As his sword turns, move

Chapter XV Theory of the sword against the rising blow

And you turn and you will win the test, Harmonise yourself with him and also with the strikes And make your going thus With your sword directly to his. To clear your mind of illusions,

You can also go into boar’s tooth guard, And if he with the turning, And you escaping from below up.

Listen and understand my reasoning, You who are new to the art, and experts too, I want you to be sure, That this is the art and the true science.

Grasp this, that is a steelyard’s trace, That if the companion is in the iron door guard, Lock this into your heart, You should be in the archer’s guard,

Watch out that your point does not waver, That of the companion covers his sword; Go a little out of the way Straightening the sword and the hand with the point. When your sword is joined at the crossing, Then do the thirteenth constrained action, As is you can plainly see Pictured in our book of seven leaves. You can also use in this art Striking and closing that are more handy, Leave the more left­handed, Keep those that favour your hand, So you will often have honour in the art. Chapter XVI Mastering the sword It is necessary that the sword should be A great shield that covers all,

And grasp this fruit, That I give you for your mastery.

Be sure that your sword does not Make guards or strike far away, O how sensible this thing is, That your sword makes short movements.

Your point should watch the face, Of the companion, in guard or striking, You will take his courage, Seeing always the point staying in front of him. And you will make your plays always forwards, With your sword and with a small turn, With a serene and nimble hand, Often breaking the tempo of the companion, You will weave a web different than spider’s.

The nature of the bear is to turn, Going here, there, up and around Thus your shoulder should move, Sending your sword out to hunt. The right hand should be prudent, Bold and deadly as a serpent.

I am a ram, always on the lookout, Naturally always looking to butt, So your cut should be clever, Always parry when there is an answer. The eye with the heart should be alert, Bold and full of foresight.

And he who does not have these keys with him Will make little war with this play.

With the left hand, the sword is to thrust Or to strike when it is joined And if you want the strike to be complete Make it as quick as a greyhound.

You see the sun, that makes great turns, And where it is born it returns. The foot with the sun should return together, If you want the play to adorn your person.

The legs keys it is well said, Because you close them and also open them, The left foot ﬁrm without fear, Make it constant like a rock And then your body will be completely safe.

When one or other foot bothers you Turn it quickly like a mill wheel, The heart must be foresightful, That expects shame and honour.

These are the blows of the two­handed sword, Not those of the mezo tempo, they remain in a knot.

I am the rota and I often turn, Finding the falseness of the sword.

We are the volante, always crossing, From the knee up we go destroying.

We are the fendenti and we start the ﬁght, Breaking the teeth in our direct way.

I am the thrust, dangerous and quick, Mistress of the other blows.

Here are the guards with their names, Each of your sides is shown.

Philippo di vadi pisano.

I am the strong middle iron gate Dealing death with thrust and fendente.

I am the guard of the woman, and I am not vain, I conceal the length of the sword.

I am the ﬂat ground iron door, Always impeding cuts and thrusts.

I am the guard of the falcon, high up above, To make defences in all sorts of ways.

I am the archer’s guard, to deceive I am the short guard of the extended sword, I use malice very much in my reign. I often strike with the turn back.

I am the crown and I am made master I am the guard of the true window I raise from the art the thing from the left. Of binds I am found to be adept.

With the deadly guard of the boar’s tooth Anyone looking for trouble, I’ll give them plenty.

I am the long guard with the short(ened) sword, That with my cunning defeats the blows.

I am the frontal guard, so secure Of cuts and thrusts I have the solution.

I am the guard of the boar and I am outside, That of strikes I do not make a home.

I have made a roverso fendente on the left foot, Without changing the foot turning the hips I strike a dritto without further movement.

By this grip of your arm that I have made, I can hit you with a cut or pommel strike.

By this turn that I quickly make to my sword I will not pause with this strike.

I have bound you from the roverso side, You’ll be thrown to the ground by a blow of the sword.

In this way I have you with the left hand, I will not hold back striking with cuts and thrusts.

By this turn that I have given to my sword I think I will have cut the middle of your throat.

You will go to the ground with this technique And your play has completely failed.

I do not wish to make war with my sword, But with your I’ll throw you to the ground.

I have turned you with force and without difﬁculty With my skill I will break your arm.

With skill I have placed you in a similar position, I’ll make you go to the ground at the ﬁrst blow.

In this way I’ll put you in a lock And break your arm (in the time it takes to) say “hello”.

By this turn of the pommel I have bound you, Immediately If I want to I’ll throw you to the ground.

By this turn of the blade that you have done, I will break your arm at the ﬁrst attempt.

By the turn quick I have given my sword, I’ll strike your arm or your head.

If I put my hilt to your sword I’ll make it fall with this action.

This is a grip that I do from below, I will make it fall at the ﬁrst go.

You believed I would strike with a backhand blow, With the elbow I push your sword across.

Making the turn that my handle has given, I make you fall to the ground backwards.

This is a disarm that is above, And if I want to I’ll lay you ﬂat.

The feint that I made to strike a fendente, Cuts the jaw and teeth together.

From the backhand strike that I have done, I’ll give you a good strike with my pommel.

This is a grip that I do on the inside, I feel that you’re going to the ground.

I have given you my sword in the head, Yours I’ll take with my quick cunning.

I beat your sword aside with the middle of the blade, You’ll get a good deal from my pommel.

Turning a roverso you parried badly, Entering into a bind at the middle of the blade.

Guards of the Axe in Armour.

I am the guard of the woman, of great offence, To respond to any situation.

I am in the guard of the boar, with its saying, I’ll destroy your body for sure.

I am called the Archer’s guard, I always make blows deviate.

I am the guard of the cross, so called, No cuts or thrusts can bother me.

I was in boar’s tooth with the axe, In this way I have struck you in the face.

Lifting the visor I strike your face, I struck you: all defences are gone.

I place my hand under the right arm I’ll place you in the lock as is written.

This is the grip that I do to you, You’ll lose your axe and I’ll strike your head.

Guards of the Sword in Armour.

I am the lower snake guard, That is good for striking with thrusts.

I am the guard of the serene leopard, That with the tail will give you poison.

I am the snake, held high, Above and below I do my work.

I am the leopard’s tail over the arm, I will chase away any sword from me.

I am the ﬁrst wounder of the art, To make defence on any side.

I push my point into your face, You see my sword rising up and up.

You will let go of your sword in spite of your wishes, I will do even worse to you too.

If I can’t stick a point in your face, I’ll stick a pommel instead, as it is there.

By the pass I have made out of the way, I’ll throw you to the ground with your sword.

FORM OF THE SWORD IN ARMOUR The sword for ﬁghting in armour should have the form as written below, thus: it should be of a length to come with the pommel under the arm, sharpened four ﬁngers from the point. It’s handle should be of a span. The

crossguard should be as long as the handle of the sword. And it should be pointed on every side. And similarly, the pommel should be pointed, so that you can strike with any of these parts.

Play of the Long Lance

With a short lance I’ll wait in this way, I invite you to come with long and short.

From the way I wait for you with a spear I can strike you in the chest with a half turn.

By the half turn that I have made to my spear, I’ll strike you in the chest or side.

Here end the blows of the spear, They usually go to this technique.

I do this counter to you, Turning you with the grip on your arm.

With the hand that you have on my shoulder, You’ll go to the ground in a bad hour

I can take the dagger and strike you With this grip, and I cannot fail.

With the dagger on the ground I’ll make you fall With the turn that I do, and with my knowledge.

This thrust is done immediately I make your dagger fall very fast.

This thrust that I have placed in your hand, Quickly you will drop your dagger.

This cover I make very quickly, So you will be placed in the lock.

I will leap to a play using this cover, And with my dagger I’ll open the way.

With this cover that you want to do, I’ll make you go into the lower lock.

I can take the dagger or strike, If I don’t want to completely fail the art.

If I push the dagger towards the ground, You will make no more war with it to me.

Here I look for your hand to strike it I’ll make you come under the lock.

This crossing that I make against you I’ll place you in the lock without difﬁculty.

This strike I make with the ﬁst, I’ll stick your dagger into your body.

I make the cover of one hand, I make your dagger go to the ground.

From the way I have grabbed you I do not doubt That you’ll go to the ground, I say immediately!

By the way that I have got you I’ll break the arm and the dagger very quickly.

You see well the way that I have you, So you and your dagger will be my pawn.

I see that this play will not fail me. As I break you arm over my shoulder.

Because of this way that the arm is grabbed, I will lock you with this dagger.

I saw that you are bound and going to the ground, I break the arm and you’ll lose the dagger.

In this way I have you, and I make a burden, And I can then follow the close and wide.

I come at you with crossed arms, And I can do all the previous plays.

You’ll go to the ground by the backhand, By this play your life is lost.

I say you are badly taught in this art; You will ﬁnd yourself suddenly on the ground.

By this grip I say I have you, I am certain you will go into the lock.

I make a lock to this, your elbow; I’ll break your arm for you without doubt.

This is a very strong destruction of the arm, The pain that you’ll have will ruin your composure.

I have put you in the lock, to your despite, Because you are not perfect in the Art.

With my right hand I have made this move; I will stick the dagger in your thigh.

When you’re on the ground you’ll say, “I didn’t believe it would come to this”.

This is a strong way to throw someone to the ground; If I wish it, you will die.

I have you, by the way that I parried; You will go to the ground against your wishes.

You must just go to the ground, And you’ll make no more war with the dagger.

By the pass that I do under the arm, You’ll go to the ground with much trouble.

The Measure of the Dagger The length of the dagger should be just to the elbow, with an edge and two corners. The grip should be the length of the ﬁst, as the shape is shown depicted here below.

I defend myself just as well as I can, As you strike I will overcome you.

As you throw, your blow will be lost; I’ll beat away your weapon with a backhand blow.

I am in guard with a good forehand blow, As you throw at me you’ll understand the text.

Following the work are some dagger techniques as follows. You must consider the act, the grip, the principle and the ﬁnish to understand the way. Knowing how cunning human nature is, and for everyone who is practiced in the art can understand all the actions depicted and shown in this, my little work, mainly of the sword, the axe, the spear and the dagger.